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SAU theatre in preparation for an annual festival

It’s that time of year again, where the St. Ambrose University Theatre Department becomes busy. Though finals week is coming to a close, there are many events still on the list, like beginning to prep for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF).

KCACTF is a regional theatre festival that gives college students opportunities to learn about the different aspects of theatre, as well as learning experiences to help them for the professional theatre scene after graduation. St. Ambrose University, as well as the state of Iowa, add to KCACTF Region V along with Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska.

SAU has participated in this festival since 1990.

Professor of Theatre, Dr. Corinne Johnson says something is inspiring about this event.

“I think it is important for the students because they get an opportunity to see what other people and other schools are doing,” Johnson said. “They get to celebrate the fact that even though we are a small school we still can run successfully with the big dogs.”

Though there has been a lot of success for SAU in this festival and all of the events that take place, this is still a great learning opportunity for students. 

“Students can also take a look at the work of others and say ‘I felt proud of what I did but, boy, I want to aspire to be like that and therefore I have to work harder and I’ve got to dig deeper,” Johnson said

This event is typically in person, but due to COVID-19, the festival will take place virtually for the second year in a row. Though this does not give students the hands-on experience, the online platform makes it possible and more accessible to all students no matter cost or schedule. 

At KCACTF, there are many events like a Musical Theatre Intensive, Professional Auditions, and the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Auditions. These have been widely popular for St. Ambrose students.

This year’s KCACTF Festival is Jan. 16-22, 2022.

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